Each year, a selection of each cohort from our Startup Accelerator takes part in our grand final event, pitching their ideas to a panel of judges to win real cash prizes of over £20,000.
Ahead of the event, over the five month programme, the startups engage in real customer discovery, developed their value proposition and participated in the North East entrepreneurial ecosystem to launch impactful and exciting ventures.
Showcase 2026
During the event on Thursday 4 June 2026, this year’s RGU Startup Accelerator cohort of RGU staff, students and alumni will showcase their early-stage innovative businesses. In our recorded live stream, you will see see businesses win real cash prizes of over £20,000 in the final of the RGU Startup Accelerator programme and see the mini-expo off stage.
Live stream link coming soon!
RGU’s flagship entrepreneurial development programme, the Startup Accelerator, is now on its 8th year and a key finalist contributor to the University winning Institution of the Year at The Herald Higher Education Awards 2026! The Startup Showcase is our annual end-of-programme celebration event for the year's cohort, which includes commercial research, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Find out more about this year's event or request to attend the Aberdeen Showcase in-person:
Startup Accelerator Showcase - Impact North
Past events & winners
2025
Watch the Startup Accelerator 2025
- SRM Foundation Innovation Award – £5,000: InGlaze (Luci and Campbell Carey)
- Community Impact Award - £5,000: That Conversations Movement (Chris Burnett)
- Best Pitch - £2,000: Poseidon Rescue (Juan McKenzie)
- Felix Chung Sustainability Award - £5,000: IM Innovation (Lauren McCann and Jennifer Innes)
- Audience Choice Award - £8,000: That Conversations Movement (Chris Burnett)
- Best Showcase Stand - £2,000: Owned by None (Rachel Fowler)
- The “Extra Mile” Award - £1,000: Poseidon Rescue (Juan McKenzie)
- Accelerator Alumni Awards - £2,500 each: Jo-Anne Tait and Georgiana Bugeag
2024
Watch the Startup Accelerator 2024
Entrepreneurial success at latest Startup Showcase as RGU secure future funding
- Best Exhibition Stand - £1,000: Carnie Bees
- The "Extra Mile" Award - £1,000: It’s Roni
- Felix Chung Sustainability Award - £5,000: Revive Geoscience Services
- Best Pitch Award - £1,000: Big Dog Stories
- Community Impact Award - £5,000: Carnie Bees
- Innovation Impact Award - £5,000: Cardio Intel
- Audience Choice Award - £5,000: Cardio Intel
2023
Watch the Startup Accelerator 2023
- Best Exhibition Stand - £2,000: Highland Moss
- The Extra Mile Award - £2,000: Pace Press
- Felix Chung Sustainability Award - £5,000:
- Best Pitch Award - £2,000: Asylum and Refugee Care (AARC)
- Community Impact Award - £8,000: Members Guest
- Innovation Impact Award - £8,000: Codelion
- Audience Choice Award - £8,000: Assetworx
2022
Watch the Startup Accelerator 2022
Nine new businesses receive £80,000 in funding at Accelerator showcase
- Innovation Impact Award – Kitchen Integrated Fire Suppression Systems
- Climate Impact Award – The Habitat People
- Regional Impact Award – Two Racoons
- Audience Choice Award – Two Racoons
- Showcase Video Awards – Flair Collective, Everybody Mannequins, CD Corp
- Showcase Experience Awards – Plantala, 49 Swim
- Recognition Award – Kitchen Integrated Fire Suppression Systemst
Learn about the startups
Through our programmes we have worked with student, staff and alumni entrepreneurs to create dozens of new businesses across a diversity of sectors.
Across our startup support programmes, research activity and academic courses, our community’s entrepreneurial mindset has seen the creation of a wide range of startups from industries ranging from fashion to finance and tourism to technology. These businesses receive support and guidance from RGU and are driving economic growth across the region and beyond.
Connect with RGU Innovation
Social Media
We encourage all guests to get involved in the event whether in the room or at home by sharing your photos or videos on social media and tagging:
#StartupShowcase @RGUInnovation @RobertGordonUni
Innovation Mailing List
Keep updated on all of our activities, events, updates and startup stories by subscribing to our mailing list to get email digests a few times a month.